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If You’re Listening — News & Politics
If You’re Listening

The world is on fire. There’s a coup. Inflation is through the roof, and AI is taking our jobs. What does it all mean? Each week, Matt Bevan explains the biggest story in world news while hiding in his basement from assassins and authoritarian regimes.

Recent episodes include an exploration of the relationship between India and China, a closer look at the Saudi Arabian city of NEOM, the conflict in the Middle East, the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, and Ukraine’s incursions into Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Matt Bevan draws connections between stories from the past and the events of the present to help listeners understand world news and international affairs.

The podcast also features series about big moments in world news; previous series have focused on the United States presidential election, the United Kingdom’s 14 years of Conservative Party leadership, Donald Trump’s relationship with Russia, Donald Trump’s presidency and promise to Make America Great Again, the Mueller Report, Vladimir Putin’s scheme to destroy western democracies, how the relationship between Australia and China came to the verge of collapse, and Australia’s turbulent history with climate change.

There’s a new episode of If You’re Listening every Thursday.

Latest Episodes:

Why does Putin bother holding elections? Mar 14, 2024

Show notes

Russia is in the midst of an election, but we already know Vladimir Putin will win. He always wins.

So why does Russia bother holding elections? What’s the point?

Putin learned a lesson many years ago about the illusion of democracy, and it’s one he has never forgotten.

Looking For Modi 01 | Humble beginnings Mar 12, 2024

Show notes

Every Tuesday for the next seven weeks, we'll be dropping an extra episode from a new ABC podcast into the If You're Listening feed. Looking for Modi, hosted by the ABC's South Asia correspondent Avani Dias, examines the life and political career of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. It's a fascinating show that we think you might enjoy. Matt will be back with another episode on Thursday.

Narendra Modi's rise from poverty-stricken childhood has been a major appeal throughout his political career. He tells ordinary Indians that he is just like them, and that his life is proof of India's egalitarian democracy. But in truth, some of the central elements of his own biography are disputed. What do we really know about his origin story, and how did his time spent with a volunteer right wing organisation many view as a paramilitary group influence his politics?

How China hires hackers Mar 07, 2024

Show notes

The police arrested and interrogated Andrew after he was set up by hackers.

Now we know how Chinese spies pull it off.

An unprecedented leak of data from Chinese company i-Soon has cracked open the black box, revealing the secrets of China's cyber espionage operations.

Correction: When Andrew Phelan was taken in for questioning by Victoria Police, he was never chargedSubscribe to If You're Listening on the ABC Listen app.

Check out our series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c58XyP6Bx1E

Is Donald Trump running out of money? Feb 29, 2024

Show notes

Donald Trump was ordered to pay a $463.9 million fine for lying to banks about how rich he is.

He's also facing at least five other cases that could cost him millions more in legal fees and fines.

And this is all happening as he tries to run for president again — and political campaigns ain't cheap.

So the question is: Can Donald Trump make it to election day without running out of money?

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Check out our series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzEp-Vr4Oao

The Ayatollah who dreamed of an Iranian caliphate Feb 22, 2024

Show notes

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was a revolutionary leader with a revolutionary idea.

In just 10 years as Supreme Leader, Iran became a global pariah; virtually friendless in the international community.

Yet when he died, millions of Iranians hysterically grieved his death.

In today's episode, how Ayatollah Khomeini changed the course of Middle Eastern history, and how his ideas are still affecting us today.

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Check out our series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOsdbCwS5qQ

How the Shah's cancer led to Iran's rift with the US Feb 15, 2024

Show notes

In 1974, the Shah of Iran was diagnosed with cancer.

It led to a Shakespearean tragedy that brought about the end of the Iranian monarchy and shaped the Middle East conflict we're seeing today.

As open warfare between the US and Iran becomes more and more likely by the day, it's worth remembering that it all started with something tiny — a small lump in the spleen of one man.

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Check out our series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZgrNZDxQhA

How Houthi rebels are embarrassing the world's biggest navy Feb 08, 2024

Show notes

The Red Sea is the most trafficked trade route in the world, and now the US Navy and a group of militant Houthi rebels are going to war over it.

The Houthis are attacking ships it says are linked to Israel and its allies; America is desperately trying to stop them. I mean, America might not get directly involved in the Israel-Gaza conflict, but you bet they'll protect their trade routes.

The stakes couldn't be higher — if the US can't prove they have this under control, plenty of other groups around the world might decide to try their hand at blocking global trade as well.

Editor's note: This introduction has been edited to clarify that not only Israeli ships have been targeted in Houthi attacks.

Subscribe to If You're Listening on the ABC Listen app.

Check out our series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYJFHtTYc0g

Can Zelenskyy get the world to care about Ukraine again? Dec 14, 2023

Show notes

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has a new problem. As well as fighting Russia, he also has to fight Israel and Hamas for the world's attention.

The shift in attention to Gaza has already meant Ukraine has lost crucial support.

The question is — can Zelenskyy get the world to care about Ukraine again? And if not, what will that mean for the war?

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Check out our series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fSMBo3xGBQ

What is China's "panda diplomacy"? Dec 07, 2023

Show notes

China's pandas are not just pandas. They're diplomats.

You're friendly to China? You get a panda. You criticise China? You get no pandas.

In recent years China has been hostile toward the West, with the most literal symbol of their displeasure being the withdrawal of their pandas from zoos around the world.

And yet, Chinese President Xi Jinping appears to be having a change of heart.

This may indicate something very important — a return to a more peaceful relationship with the West.

But why? And why are pandas the key to understanding it?

Please participate in our listener survey!

Subscribe to If You're Listening on the ABC Listen app.

Check out our series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzM1L3Nrc-I

Can OpenAI save us from a robot apocalypse? Nov 30, 2023

Show notes

The world's most famous artificial intelligence company, OpenAI — the creator of ChatGPT — was set up to create a superintelligent AI, while at the same time safeguarding humanity from an omnipotent robot overlord which could enslave us all.

But last week the company fell into chaos. OpenAI fired its wunderkind CEO Sam Altman.

Just days later, under intense pressure, Sam Altman was put back in charge and the entire board was booted.

So is an AI apocalypse possible, and with Altman back in charge, will OpenAI be able to protect us from its own robots?

Please participate in our listener survey!

Subscribe to If You're Listening on the ABC Listen app.

Check out our series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR8c10Tkb3E

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